Page 53 of Awakened Light

“Yep,” Mark said matter-of-factly. “Well, I mean, I booked and planned the trip, but I put it on your credit card.”

“Ah.” Aiden laughed. “Well, I hope you enjoyed your present.”

“I did.” Mark grinned. “You’ll love it, Thorne. Catrain will too.”

“It’s beautiful,” Grizella added. “I mean, I’ve never seen it in the sun, but it’s gorgeous at night. Lothaire and I have been twice.”

“I want to go to O’ahu!” Emilia turned to Aiden. “Can we go?”

He stroked her hand and smiled. “Of course, baby. Anything you want.”

“Me, too! I’m coming!” Mark clapped.

“Same!” Annella joined in his excitement. “I could use a vacay after being locked in that dastardly cage for days. A brief reprieve before I hunt down those bastards from Clan Lennox and part them from their heads.”

Thorne held up his hand as Lothaire and Grizella nodded their agreement. “Hell no. Sorry, but not this trip, guys. This trip is just me and Catrain. Another time we can all go as a family.”

A cumulative grumble passed between them.

“I get it,” Emilia said. “You don’t need to drag all of us on your romantic getaway. You two have an amazing time, and we’ll see you when you get back.”

“But next time, we’re all going to Hawaii.” Mark pointed his finger at Thorne.

“I promise,” Thorne agreed. “Next time.”

“When do you leave?” Lothaire asked.

Thorne looked down at his phone and smiled. “They’ll be ready by the time we get there, so right now. Annella? Can you pack Catrain some clothes and suits she can wear?”

“On it!” Annella flashed out of the room, and a few seconds later she appeared at my side, holding a brown and tan bag. “Everything you need is in here. Clothes, suits, makeup, hair stuff. Thorne can take you shopping for anything I missed when you get there, but this should pretty much cover it.”

“Thank you,” I answered, a bit stunned as she shoved the bag in my hand. It was impossible for me to process what lay in store for me, and I couldn’t begin to imagine what this O’ahu place was like. But from the smile on Thorne’s face, I knew he was excited to show it to me.

“We’ll be back in six days,” Thorne said quickly, then took my hand and tugged me to the door.

They all called their goodbyes, and I followed Thorne out to the garage. He held the door for me as I climbed into the Bugatti.

He flashed over into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Ready?”

“I don’t even know what I’m supposed to be ready for.” I laughed as I settled back.

“Do you trust me?” He arched a brow.

After a long pause, I nodded. “I do.”

“Then hang on, baby, because we’ve got an adventure ahead of us.”

With a smile that split his face in two, he tore out of the garage. My stomach dropped with the speed we hit, and I loved the exhilaration of the quick twists and turns of the car. We sped down the roads until we reached something he called an airport. He parked the car and hurried to my side, taking my hand as he helped me out.

“Your private jet awaits.” He waved his hand over the huge, strange metal object.

“Wait a minute.” I stuttered to a stop as I looked at it. “Does this mean we have to fly?”

Thorne chuckled. “Of course. Why else would I have brought you to an airport? Airports are where planes take off and land.”

“I didn’t know what an airport was!” I argued and backpedaled toward the car. “I don’t want to fly.”

“Shit. I forgot you’re scared to fly. Catrain,” he soothed as he stopped me by tightening his grip on my hand. “You will be fine. I promise. Planes are very safe... safer than that car, in fact.”